Increased interest in Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight TT Races
Entries for the Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight TTs are up on last year, it has been confirmed.
The 4.25-mile Billown Circuit in the south of the Isle of Man will once again host the two stroke events, this time on Saturday June 13th.
In addition to increased interest from teams and riders, the Billown TT races have a new sponsor - Motorsport Merchandise, the official licensed suppliers of TT clothing - and the promise of increased TV exposure.
There is also a change of format for 2009, with the Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight TTs being contested over two 8-lap legs, rather than a solitary 12-lap race, with the winner being declared on points over the two legs.
The racing will be filmed by North One as part of the recent TV production and distribution deal, with the footage being used for the Official TT Review DVD, once again from Manx firm Duke, and being shown as part of the ITV coverage.
Last year’s inaugural races saw one of the largest ever crowds at the Billown Circuit, home to the popular Southern 100 meeting for more than 50 years. Even more fans are expected for 2009 with the increased race schedule, 40 riders entered for the 250cc race and 35 in the 125cc class.
The Motorsport Merchandise Lightweight TT has a superb line up, with last year’s winner Ian Lougher returning on the Barnes Honda. His challengers are likely to include William and Michael Dunlop and Chris Palmer, while other TT stars in action include Ian Armstrong, circuit newcomer Olie Linsdell, TT Rider Liaison Officer John Barton, Mark Buckley, Paul Shoesmith, Paul Owen and Phil Harvey.
Ireland is well represented with Davy Morgan, John Burrows, Andrew Neill, Barry Davidson, Samuel Dunlop, Nigel Moore and the returning Darren Burns, all of whom are expected to feature in the top 10, while hopes of a Manx winner rest on the shoulders of Daniel Sayle and Tony Cawte.
Apart from Linsdell, other newcomers to keep an eye on include Ivan Lintin, Graham Wilson, Ryan Kneen, Emlyn Hughes and MCN road tester and British Championship front runner Bruce Dunn.
National competitors Rob Knight, Colin Wilcock, Carl Salvage and Dave Moffitt are again in the line up and there are a number of seasoned 250cc regulars in the field, notably Peter Wakefield, Kevin Strowger, Chris McGahan, Tom Snow and Dean Martin.
It’s a similar story in the Motorsport Merchandise Ultra Lightweight class, where Lougher, Palmer and the Dunlops lead the way, although there is also the notable return of leading short circuit star James Ford, fourth last year, to spice things up.
Arguably the biggest attraction though will be the appearance of Dan Sayle on a 125cc KTM. This will be the only chance, other than the British MotoGP, for race fans to see the little Austrian machine on a circuit in the British Isles. Sayle, who will again partner Dave Molyneux in the two Sure Sidecar TT Races on the Mountain Course, took second place 12 months ago and has a great chance of claiming a solo TT win.
Buckley, Davidson, Neill, Burns, Cawte, Moore, Harvey, Knight, Wakefield and McGahan again go in this one, while Roy Richardson and Jon Vincent are additional entries. Linsdell, Lintin, Dunn, Wilson, Hughes and Kneen are again the most prominent newcomers and they are joined by Kieran Hankin, Doug Snow, Darren Gilpin, Rob and Jamie Hodson and overseas debuts from Martin Loicht and Pascal Bras.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said:
‘The Billown TT is clearly going from strength-to-strength and we owe a debt of gratitude to the Southern 100 club for helping to create and run such a strong event and maintaining the long history of two stroke racing on the Island.’